Risk and protective factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites of dogs from an urban area of Córdoba, Argentina

Authors: CARLOS EUGENIO MOTTA, MARIA ROMINA RIVERO, CARLOS DANIEL DE ANGELO, ANA MARÍA SBAFFO, KARINA IVANA TIRANTI

Abstract: Prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and the effect of associated factors were evaluated in household dogs from an urban area of Córdoba, Argentina. A total of 493 fecal samples were collected during 2010 and 2013 and processed with Willis` salt, Sheathers sugar flotation, and formol-ether concentration techniques. Overall prevalence of GI parasites was 45.23% (95% CI 40.83-49.62), and Ancylostoma caninum (30.83%) was the most frequent parasite, followed by Trichuris vulpis (9.94%), Cystoisospora spp. (7.71%), Toxocara canis (6.90%), and Giardia spp. (5.88%). Independent variables were presence of at least one parasite element, named "all parasites", and each GI parasite more frequently detected was analyzed as separate outcomes. Logistic regression results showed an increased risk related to age (P = 0.0343) for all parasites and for T. canis, Cystoisospora spp., and Giardia spp. Statistically significant and protective variables were no ingestion of small animals, daily feces removal, and absence of shadow in house yards. Use of anthelmintics and daily feces removal for A. caninum, being female, and absence of shadow for T. canis resulted in protective factors. The role played by veterinarians and owners? commitment as key aspects, effective actions for prevention, control and treatment are required in the research area.

Keywords: Dogs, parasites, prevalence, risk factors, protective factors

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